Faraday to Edward Sonstadt¹   27 June 1863

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 27 June. 1863

Sir

You will be surprized that you have not heard from me before but I have indeed been so pressed by work & weariness that I have not had time to acknowledge your great & willing kindness. Now I have read your letter, your papers & examined your specimens with the utmost interest. I may say that I want them for the Institutions sake; but I cannot consent to profit by your liberality, to the extent you propose; and therefore send back the two larger specimens (with the specification & drawing²) reserving the smaller specimen which I shall present to the Managers of the Royal Institution in your name when they meet on the 6th of July³. Perhaps hereafter when you are more abundantly supplied with the undistilled magnesium you may allow us to place a piece by the side of the specimen of the distilled metal.

I hope you see your way to a manufacture of Magnesium which will supply the metal at a mercantile price; & even in that point of view give you a reward for your zeal in pursuing the working development of its manufacture.

It is not as yet the time to ask after its probable uses; but we may be allowed to hope for an abundant development of them. What scientific perfection was ever [word illegible] out without presenting such uses, sooner or later. I hope these will in the present case come to you soon.

Ever Your Very Obliged Servant | M. Faraday

E. Sonstadt Esqr | &c &c &c